When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, "No. He will be called John." …(Lk 1:57-66)
Birth of a child was a celebration in those days. Celebration reached its peak because a barren woman gave birth to a son. Relatives and friends gathered around the family to celebrate. The celebration was centred on the idea that God had shown mercy. Birth of every child was divine action. God was praised and thanked for the birth of a child.
Circumcision was again an action in which Israelites remembered the covenant which God made with Abraham. It was a sign of God covenant with the people. It was a constant reminder of the promise of God. As birth was a celebration of God’s mercy so also Circumcision was a celebration of God’s Covenant and promise.
Naming of the child was again an another occasion in which God’s divine action was celebrated. It was all the more in the case of John because the name was given from God. It was not a social event. They were not naming him after his father or his forefathers. Name was a divine revelation. In this triple celebration Zacharias praised and blessed God for his divine intervention; for his covenant; for his promise and for his revelation.
